Now that you have done your homework, there are other considerations and business practices to avoid when choosing the right Chiropractor for you. First, people must understand that Chiropractic, like other Medical Care is a business. There are certain practices that everyone should avoid especially yearly, pre-paid treatment contracts.
This is how it works, (usually). A patient comes in for an assessment and are shown all the legitimate benefits of chiropractic care as well as a breakdown of the either the cost of each visit, individual therapy or a year of treatment. The patient is then provided an alternative plan amount with unlimited visits at a huge discount. However, there is a catch, (there is always a catch).
The patient must sign a contract, usually for a year of care, with the condition that the discounted fee is paid up-front. This contract almost always contains a "no cancellation clause" that states no refunds will be provided. I would equate it to a Gym membership.
What is wrong with this type of business practice? Well for starters, in most cases, the number of visits needed to address the patients issue is greatly exaggerated, as is the cost for each visit, therapy or yearly treatment plan. What's particularly sad is the patients who usually sign up for programs like this are either un-insured or under insured with high deductibles who only want to take care of themselves. Good, honest people who trust too easily and unfortunately get taken advantage of.
It might look like a good deal, but is it really? Let's say hypothetically the up-front cost for a year of treatment is $4000. If a patient faithfully goes twice a week for a year, it is a good deal, about $40 a visit. However, the percentage of patients requiring that amount of care to address even the worst of conditions is most likely in the low, single digits. Also, what if after the first month of treatment and 8 - 10 visits there is little to no improvement? You have the choice of either walking away and letting them keep your money or continuing to go to visits that are not effective.
On the other hand, lets say for example the treatment worked after 10 visits and you are 100% better. Either way, that is $400 a visit and anything but a bargain. What's worse is there is no recourse. The only person that truly benefits from annual pre-paid treatment plans is the Chiropractor or Clinic, never the patient.
To be fair, not all pre-paid treatment plans are a scam. Those that offer refunds and are able to be canceled can actually be beneficial. It is up to you, the patient to read and assess the fairness of any contract prior to obligating yourself financially.
Dr. Hendon will be the first one to tell you that if you are not substantially better after 5-7 visits, you need to try something else or a therapy he does not offer. We do not and will never offer yearly contracts and only offer cash patients a maximum of 10 pre-paid visits at a discounted rate, which never expire and are refundable
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